My boyfriend noticed this place when he was on his way home from the doctor's office. He asked me to go pick up some tamales while he was resting. I got 3 beef and 3 chicken. They were really good! I'm sure we will be going back soon to get more. They may not look great from the outside but they have plenty to look at on the inside. read more

Adding backstory..found this place a couple of years ago and me and my family love their tamales, both beef and chicken. Continued for a couple of years until they would not let me just go in there in early December and just purchase 3 dozen tamales(tamale place, 3 doz not a lot) said I needed to get on their wait list. Got some tamales from guy at work that year. Went back two years ago and noticed that price had gone up ($24.00 a dozen) which I thought was high back then so again went to Trader Joes and found some. So this year thought I would try again but decided to try and do it their way and order ahead. Tried online ordering (it does not work). Called and the lady I talked to confirmed online does not work but that they would be putting out a Christmas ordering list on 11/28 or 11/29 or so. SO went over there this morning it was approx. 9:25AM and they were closed due to not having tamales ready to sell even though they open at 9:00AM. There were a couple of men outside waiting as well. The door was open, so I went in and asked if I could just place an order for the 3 dozen I needed and could pick them up next week. Lady working register told me they don't take orders only pick up. ??What?? So I asked if I could just order the 3 dozen I needed and get them today, she said yes. So, I sat down but looked over at the counter and there was a sign posting a pricing change. Basically after October 1st- One dozen tamales will cost you $39.99. Basically when I saw that I just walked out and told my wife that I will try and make them myself from some youtube videos I can find. For 3 dozen I would have spent $120.00 before tax. I don't care how good their tamales are, they are not worth $40 a dozen. I won't be back...sorry. read more

The tamales are good and yes a little on the pricey sides. Better than Food City and Costco.

Best Tamales in Maricopa County! Made fresh daily, and delicious at every bite! Great location, no phone or online orders are taken. Old style, show up and order at the counter. read more

My first trip here was picking up tamales for a family dinner, and maybe a little lunch snack too. I could see the huge steamers and the smell was amazing. I live in a vowel state that doesn't my have places like this. I could have eaten there every day! I was lucky there were leftovers so I could have a late night snack back at my hotel. Both the red and green tamales were fantastic. I can't wait to go back and visit again! read more

This is a little while in the back corner of the wall kind of place. When we got there there was a line and tables filled. I was able to get a table enjoy our homemade tamale breakfast! Delicious!!! The menudo was tasty with lots of flavor. We were helped by Jazmin that was all smiles and very courteous. Will be back for more! read more

Old El Paso Tamales - Menudo y tamales - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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The food is excellent and the service is fantastic. The best tamales in Arizona and in the valley!

Bombest tamales to date Love this place owners super friendly My wife loves her eggs a certain way And he went thru three tries to get em how she loves em We come from Gilbert just for there tamales Keep not they close at 3pm but well worth the drive read more

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I have been coming here sporadically for the last 4 or 5 years. I know how to make tamales, but I only make them a few times a year and do not like them if they've been frozen too long. So, in the past, this has been a "go to" place a couple times a year when no one in the family has any fresh tamales. They used to be really good, but the last time and yesterday they were not great. When I first bought the tamales you could see shredded chicken, strips of green Chile, and they used to put cheese which I really liked. Now, the chicken looks like mush. There's no green Chile that I can see and they no longer do the cheese. The cheese is not a deal breaker, but the mushy meat instead of shredded meat is. The masa used to be flavorful, but now it tastes like lard only. I actually took a friend there for lunch about 6 months ago, and they were not good. I thought it was a fluke, so I went back yesterday and bought a dozen for a quick dinner at home with rice and beans. The tamales were so bland I had to make an enchilada sauce to cover them to add flavor. We only ate half the dozen and will toss the rest. read more

Old El Paso Tamales - They used to add shredded chicken with green Chile and a little cheese, bu now it looks like mush. The masa tastes pretty much how it looks. - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Tamales are hit and miss very tight on the meat service is really slow and rude overpriced for the quality of tamale

A bunch of us at work ordered tamales on Thursday and the last time we ordered they were really good and stuffed with lots of meat this time there was barely any meat at all. I will not be ordering tamales from them again. read more

Old El Paso Tamales - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

I'm originally from El Paso. A friend from work told me about this place. I was so excited about getting some tamales that reminded me of home. I order 3 tamales to taste before I decide to order a couple of dozen for Christmas. I ordered red pork, chicken and green chili with cheese. I was disappointed - they were dry. Masa was thick and hardly any meat in the red pork. The red sauce didn't have much flavor. The rajas (chili) with cheese were dry - hardly any chili and I didn't see any cheese. The flavor was better than the other two maybe cause I like spicy. But was really missing the cheese. The chicken ones were dry as well . Nothing special of this one just plain shredded chicken. So thumbs down! I will not be ordering any from here for Christmas. I guess I'll just have to bring some tamales back to Az when I go back to El Paso in a couple of weeks. Sad to say these tamales do not represent EL Paso (EL Chuco) Texas!! read more

My family have been coming here since I was very young. I remember the first time I tried their tamales. They were so delicious they blast my mouth with rich flavor. Now, the flavor is still there But... I wish the meat was there too. They decrease the amount of meat in the tamale which is the best part! I love the corn and red beef. read more

3 stars.... Food is great!!! BUT the service is terribly slow. Stand in line, order and it's 30-40 minutes. Not acceptable.

Ugh! How I love this little hole in the wall place.. their tamales are all to die for in my opinion! I crave tamales the most around Christmas time but I always get those odd cravings throughout the year, and I love how this place makes their fresh daily! It's like heaven for me, tamales on demand so I don't have to wait til the end of the year to get my fix! But come early so they aren't out of what you want!! read more

Not very organized or very English speaking, but the last point is expected. So, this place basically only serves tamales and at $18 per dozen it was the cheapest in the valley. I called in an order and three days later when I arrive, my order, my name and anything else got lost in translation and there was no order. What a waste, but luckily since all they make is tamales, you can just pick them up off the steam table and head off. CORN - Very Yellow with real corn inside, but bland GREEN CHILE - this a hot version, so beware with a carrot and onion inside also. Too spicy. PORK - I don't like, so did not try BEEF/Chicken - they were out The point of calling ahead is get what I wanted, so they failed miserably in that respect and they also could use some better English speaking skills. This place will close if Trump gets elected. Sometimes the cheapest stuff is the place to avoid. read more

Tamales are amazing! It gets pretty crowded early in the morning and the wait is long. But very well worth it. My boyfriend and I each ordered a bowl of menudo and a red beef tamale.. The taste is delicious! We even bought a dozen of tamales to take home. Very authentic, they are not greedy with tht filling and the masa is perfect.. read more

The tamales weren't cooked all the way and were still sold to us. They were all out of other flavors, only red available, opened them at home saw that the should've just closed the store since they didn't have any food ready to sell. Going back tomorrow to get a refund. The servers shouldve known witch ones were ready and with needed to steam longer. Just by grabbing them you can feel the mushy masa. 3rd bad experience here read more

Old El Paso Tamales - Undercooked tamales. Raw ass masa - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

The tamales are excellent. I had an issue during the week of Christmas. I tried to pre order and was told, along with numerous others at the store that they did not take pre orders. So I got there on Thursday and got into line right before they were supposed to open, someone came out and announced that they were ONLY filling pre orders. No tamales and Lots of unhappy folks in that line. read more

Best tamales in Mesa!! My first visit was a sample of a tamale. Hector the owner was so nice and the tamale was excellent. My friends and I stopped by for lunch today. The tamales again are legit! I had the 2 egg and 2 tamale with beans and soda combo. This combo I've never had and it was an explosion of flavors being triggered in my mouth. The meat in the corn tamales was fresh and texture was smooth. Everything was fresh and brought to us quickly. Old El Paso Tamales is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's awesome to drop in grab tamales that are authentic, hot and ready! Im going take them out to a party or dinner for the family. I will be back for sure!! read more

Old El Paso Tamales - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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The most delicious tamales I've tried ! Bought two dozens all flavors it's a must try !!

Ordered and paid for tamales a week prior to pick up date set a approximate time to pick up 10-11 am show up at 11:10 AlM and they sold my pre paid tamales to someone else and make me wait until they make more 45 minutes . Apparently if you don't show at your exact alloyed time you forfeit your reserved product . O read more

I came to this place thinking it was another restaurant but decided to stay and I'm glad I did. I ordered a pork tamale and a green chili burrito. The burrito was a good size especially for the price and tasted very good. It had a nice kick to it and didn't need any sauce. On to the tamale which was the main event. One of the 2 most important parts of a tamale is the masa and this masa was very good and held together very well, the other important piece is the protein and this pork was not only a good amount but also very juicy. Overall this place was a great "mistake" and I'll definitely be back read more

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Found this place years ago when I was living in Mesa. Since then I have lived in West Phoenix, South Phoenix and Scottsdale. And anytime I'm craving tamales you better believe I come back here. So if you love tamales this is a must try. I believe tamales are $1.75 ea or $20 a dozen. read more

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Delicious. We tried green Chile with meat. They were perfect. Not dry. Will definitely go back for more

This place is good but customer service is not optimal. Probably a 4 star for the food. Tamales are delicious and probably my #1 place to get when I'm in the mood for something fast and delicious. However as of late the consistency has not been the same. My favorite ones the chicken tamales, the difference between one tamal from the next is vast. Some had lots of shredded chicken while others had very little, this from the same batch (1 dozen that I ordered)...I don't like surprises with my food, consistency is a must. On the service level, the wait is excessive but that's impart to the inefficient process they have and telephone calls for pick up orders. Most people the go there and order to go, shop there exclusively to buy tamales. How about you speed up the process by adding a second register and a dedicated person for customers that are buying tamales only? You will get more of my business and others if I don't have to wait 15-25 minutes in a line of 5 people because the cashier is getting ready the order she just got in the phone while we are waiting in line...or they disappear in the back to prepare/pack food for orders...this is so inefficient and not customer service focus. read more

Last 5 weekends I come for tamales and menudo.l and it was great. But today, Tamales had an odd taste And my special request for the menudo was denied and let me unsatisfied... read more

I had previously posted my disappointment with Old El Paso, however, today they have redeemed themselves! Really good today! The pork, beef, chicken and sweet tamales were all delicious! I'll be back again as long as they continue producing quality like this! Yummm!! read more

I was out delivering and got an order for this place and upon arrival I notice this line extended out the door. I think to myself "wow" this must be a great place for tamales. I get inside and have decided to order a dozen tamales for my family, I get home and quickly learn that they are not cooked all the way. I call them and return them with a promise from them that they will replace them. Three weeks later and they finally replaced them and they never once called me. I had to call them constantly to remind them. This is bad business. This was my first impression of them because I had never tried them before and I will never go back. This is bad business. read more

Only the best tamales ever! The corn and cheese are my all time favorite. I'm a customer for life and wish there was a location in Phoenix. When I visit here I try my best to get a dozen. If your ever on the far east side of Phoenix it's a must stop and eat it take out . read more

I've been here many times since my first review. I love it all! Every variety of tamale is delicious. They're all my favorite. This is my to-go place for comfort food. The employees are polite and are quick to put together a small or large order. read more

I've been coming here for about 5 years and they have never disappointed!! Today the doors opened 15 minutes late but I was not on any time restraints. So worth the wait for fresh and flavorful tamales and bean burrito! I've been craving something and I think this hit the spot. Don't ever change a thing! read more

Stopped in for the second time today and the results were the same. The staff is really friendly and accommodating, but my only grip is that there's to much masa and not enough filling. The flavour of all the tamales was excellent as was the green sauce you can order. The restaurant is small, but has always been clean. Give them a shot and see what you think. read more

The tamales are amazing! I do agree with what most others say, they are a little rude and the customer service is awful. I still go there and gave them five stars for the food. read more

The food is amazing but the wait and the lack of staff makes this place go down quickly. It would be better if they were quicker and had more employees. read more

Very disappointed ordered beef tamales should be called masa tamales. Won't be back. Lost my business.

Pre ordered 30 tamales and picked them up today. They were meant for Christmas Eve but I couldn't help myself, they smelled so good! Had a chicken/green chili and a cheese/green chili for a snack. Super good. A lot of tamales I buy are either too dry or not spicy. These were moist and spicy! Only thing to make it better was if I had green chili sauce to put on it and I believe they had some, but I didn't get any :( read more

Juan, I am so sad at the decline of your tamales. I had my daughter bring them to me in PA and they are mostly masa. There is minimal chicken and did you stop putting cheese in your chicken tamales? I was craving these and I am so disappointed. Attached is a picture of a chicken tamale with no chicken. read more

Old El Paso Tamales - Mexican Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Ordered 6 chicken, 6 green chili and 6 corn tamales yesterday to take home! My coworkers were right, this place is amazing! Lots of rich filling and the masa was well ground and moist! Super delicious! I am so glad I found this place! read more

This place has been closed for a couple of weeks now, with no explanation as to why, on their website, on the door, or anywhere else. Not a great way to treat loyal customers, how about a note? None of the other surrounding businesses know either, when or if they will reopen, which will be hopefully soon, because their tamales are truly second to none. read more